Will expose corrupt ministers in Congress govt in three days, says Yeddyurappa

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanded that the BJP state President present proof of his allegations

Intensifying the protest against the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka, BJP state President BS Yeddyurappa said that he will expose "the level of corruption Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his family and cabinet Ministers are mired in."

The BJP blamed the government for failing to maintain law and order after the communal clashes in Dakshina Kannada in July.

Speaking to the media in Belagavi on Thursday, Yeddyurappa said that the party would intensify its protest against the ruling government. “In two-three days, I will release a copy of the chargesheet which will be filed against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his family members, four cabinet Ministers including MB Patil and his close associate Kempaiah,” BS Yeddyurappa said.

The veteran BJP leader said that apart from “exposing the rampant corruption in various governmental departments,” the saffron party would also hold a protest at Belagavi on September 23 demanding the resignation of Siddaramaiah, Water Resource Minister MB Patil and several other leaders and associates of the Chief Minister.

“I have collected all the documents necessary to expose the corruption in the Congress government. This includes the discrepancies in the Home Department under Kempaiah, severe corruption in MB Patil’s Water Resource Department, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and several other governmental departments,” Yeddyurappa added.

“MB Patil is looting the government’s coffers in broad daylight. Patil had said that Rs 17,802 crore was set aside for increasing the height and capacity of the Almatti Dam. Why is he not talking about this project? It has not even begun. Where did all that money go?” Yeddyurappa questioned.

Strongly refuting Yeddyurappa’s claims, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanded that the BJP state President present proof of his allegations.

“I have nothing to hide, neither does my son. Let Yeddyurappa provide proof for his list of allegations first. I am ready to discuss this issue,” Siddaramaiah told the media.

Commenting on the issue, political analyst Professor Muzaffar Assadi said the BJP is trying to create corruption an issue ahead of the elections.

"In the past, BJP leaders had been projected as the most corrupt. I think this is not going to work," he told TNM.

He added that MB Patil was targetted by the BJP as "he has a lot of clout over the state's politics," and for his vocal stance for separate religion for Lingayats.

"He alone has the ability to take away some chunk of the BJP votes," he added.